Today marks the 25th anniversary of Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein’s massacre of 29 Palestinians as they prayed. Israeli soldiers blocked Palestinians who tried to flee and who wanted to enter to help the victims. The repercussions of the attack are still felt by Palestinians in Hebron, who have seen their rights eroded and their formerly bustling city centre turn into a ghost town.
The International Middle East Media Center reports on the ongoing acts of Israeli injustice and violence that most other media don’t bother with. Not a day goes by – including holidays – without abductions, settler brutality, shootings, and often even deaths.
For the 11th year, Gaza’s Christian minority celebrates Christmas under Israeli siege, unable to join family in West Bank. Travel requests are mostly denied or ignored from an occupying country that claims to promote freedom of religion and worship.
Why do many Hasidic Jews abstain from studying the Torah at Christmas? The mythology is that back in the day, Christians liked to persecute Jews during the holiday But according to an authority on the subject, the practice was originally based on a superstition that on Christmas, Jesus had to spend the day “wander[ing] in all pits of excrement or latrines throughout the world” – and studying Torah gave him respite from this torture.
Global Ministries and UCC and Disciples leaders were co-signatories in an ecumenical statement sent today to all members of Congress and the Senate, as well as to the White House. The statement focuses on the shifts in US policy and approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The full statement is published here, in its entirety.
Ha’aretz reports that the Noahide Project, supported by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and the Israeli government, seeks to create a world religion whose believers adore the Jewish people and the State of Israel… founded by rabbis from Israel, mainly from Chabad… the first Noahide gathering took place in Texas in 1990 and was attended by Rabbi Meir Kahane… members are told they are subservient to Jews…
Israeli settlers – protected by military – demolished 2 homes on a church compound, although the owner had a court order protecting the property, & his belongings were still inside.
Dr. Ashrawi calls on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its recent aggressive actions and to protect the people and holy sites of Palestine.
Every year, Birthright lies about the occupation to 50,000 young Jews visiting Israel. Telling the truth would simply add to the growing dissent against Israel’s policies.
Juan Cole’s upcoming book, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid a Clash of Empires, investigates the origins of Islam, focusing on Muhammad’s vision of peace.